Spell Penetration Feat

Spell Penetration (General)

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Benefit: You get a +2 bonus on caster level checks (1d20 + caster level) made to overcome a creature’s Spell Resistance.

What Spell Penetration Improves

Spell Penetration improves the caster level check used when a spell must overcome Spell Resistance. The feat adds +2 to that check. It does not increase the spell’s saving throw DC, damage, duration or the caster’s actual level for other purposes.

Spell Resistance Check Example

A 7th-level caster trying to affect a creature with Spell Resistance makes a check of 1d20 + 7. With Spell Penetration, the same check becomes 1d20 + 9. If the creature’s Spell Resistance is 18, a roll of 9 produces a total of 18 and succeeds.

When the Feat Matters

  • It matters only against creatures whose Spell Resistance applies to the spell being cast.
  • It becomes more valuable in campaigns where resistant outsiders, magical creatures and other high-resistance enemies are common.
  • It helps offensive and control casters whose important spells would otherwise be lost when a resistance check fails.

See the Feats index for additional spellcasting options and feat chains.

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